GPD: Upset driver slaps bystander

Thursday

Mar 9, 2017 at 10:38 AMMar 9, 2017 at 10:38 AM

Staff report

An 18-year-old involved in a minor traffic accident on Northwest 13th Street Wednesday afternoon was charged with child abuse after slapping a 16-year-old she assumed was recording her on a cellphone, Gainesville police said.

Caitlyn Renee Howard, of 526 NE 12th St., was charged with child abuse after slapping the teen, who was on the sidewalk near the crash. Howard walked over to the girl, hit her in the face, pushed her to the ground, then hit her two more times, an arrest report said.

After a police interview, Howard, a Gainesville High School student, told them she was upset because she thought the girl was recording her, the report said.